Feds’ approach to internet regulation disastrous for consumers
When you look at the Conservative government’s approach to internet regulation what you get is a confusing maze of announcements, reversals and half-measures all resulting in disastrous outcomes for consumers. Canadians pay more than most other OECD countries for internet service while receiving a comparatively lower level of service, particularly with respect to download speed. […]
Health care in the North: Imagining a different future
WHITEHORSE, YUKON—What qualities lead to happiness and high achievement? Current brain research suggests the unconscious mind—emotion and intuition—play a much larger role than hitherto thought. Mental health depends upon connection. “Happiness is determined by how much information and affection flows through us covertly every day…” (D. Brooks, ‘Social Animal,’ The New Yorker, Jan. 17, 2011, […]
Federal-provincial health accord expires in 2014, experts say it’s time feds talk about their plans
Sustainability of the publicly-funded system, access to primary care, the rising cost of pharmaceuticals and human resource shortages are the top issues facing health care in Canada, say stakeholders and opposition MPs. All these issues are interconnected, however, and as Canada moves toward the end of the 10-year health accord signed in 2004, the federal […]
Evidence and the privatization of health care
Evidence-based medicine has been enthusiastically embraced in Canada and elsewhere, and broadened to include evidence-based policy. Meanwhile, we are faced with a clamour for the privatization of important features of our public health-care system in Canada. The evidence is clear that privatization means increased costs, reduced accessibility and even reduced quality. Why then this clamour? […]
The $2-billion extra price tag of brand-name drugs in Canada
Canadians often think that their prescription drugs are cheap. Otherwise, why would so many Americans cross the border to buy them? Yet in the last five years, Canada has been the world’s third most expensive country for brand-name drugs. In 1987, Canada passed changes to the Patent Act extending patent protection for prescription drugs from […]
Walking the talk: negotiating a more effective Canada Health Transfer
The current federal-provincial accord governing the Canada Health Transfer expires in 2014 and early preparations for the next round of negotiations are underway. At this stage, signs are not encouraging. The Harper government appears to want to get Ottawa out of the health sector as much as possible, so its primary objective is likely to […]
Health care has gone ‘beyond the minister,’ Cabinet must move forward on policy changes, say experts
Health care is not at the top of the federal government’s agenda and the Conservatives are not showing leadership on tackling the important issues Canadians face when it comes to the healthcare system by being silent on the renewal of the 2004 health accord, say opposition MPs and stakeholders. “I don’t believe there’s any leadership […]
Time to build next generation of health care for Canadians
Canada’s universal public health-care system has been the pride of our country for many years. Since its introduction in Saskatchewan by former NDP leader Tommy Douglas, it has become the most important component of our social support network. It is the tool with which we look after one another, and is the great equalizer. However, […]
Canada needs a National Pharmaceuticals Strategy and a Family Care Plan to support home caregivers
Stephen Harper is continuing his attack on our health-care system. In a recent interview with Postmedia News, he once again made it clear that he believes that “the provinces are responsible for the management of our health-care system.” On Monday, Jan. 31, during Question Period, Mr. Harper stated that “We operate in a federal system […]
If Sidney Crosby isn’t immune, neither are Canada’s youth
Our nation has a storied history of amateur sporting achievements, with the record breaking gold medal performance by Canada’s athletes at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics serving as a unifying force in fostering the Canadian national identity. For years to come, Canadians across the country will remember where they were when Sidney Crosby scored the “Golden […]
